Fan prepares to see Reds' Opening Day game for 41st time

Streak goes back to 1973

UPDATED 6:59 PM EDT Mar 27, 2013

CINCINNATI -

Going to the ballpark is a tradition like no other tradition in Cincinnati, but for some, it has become a full blown passion.

Great American Ball Park is just about ready for this year's Opening Day. And it will be welcoming back some fans who have an impressive streak like one guy we met. This will be his 41st consecutive Opening Day.

Dan Prickel started his streak in 1973…

"Reds lost it 4 to 1."

…when he and his friends followed the lead of dads and uncles in Batesville, Ind.

"Here we were now out of high school, and feeling our oats and it's kind of like ‘Hey, shouldn't we go and start this tradition?’” he said.

Prickel is one of three fans who have continued this tradition, although he came close to breaking the string because of a complicated day at work.

"That was the closest it came, and finally, my boss said, ‘Don't worry, you're in, you can, you can head out."

So the streak remains intact. Prickel doesn't claim to be the biggest Reds fan, but he does love to follow the team, from the 60's through the Big Red Machine to the present day.

"Twice now since 2010 we've made the post season, that's neat. That's neat to see the Reds going into the postseason again. And see the attention to the reds coming back, that's neat."

So are the memorable moments, and Prickel says one of the best came just two years ago.

"The bottom of the last inning, on the Opening Day, the Reds come back from three runs down and win. You got to stay there to the final out, that's part of the tradition on Opening Day, you don't leave before the final out. And I was standing there, so those are the best, those are the best of all." he said.

Perhaps another best is yet to come, as he celebrates Opening Day number 41 and counting.